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MARIDIE SIGNALLIGET. No. 295,717. I Patented Mar. 25, 1884.

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RICHARD J. BAKER AND JOHN P. RoBnRTs, or PRovInnNon, RHODE ISLAND.

MARINE-SIGNAL LIGHT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 295,717, dated March 25, 1884.

Application filed January 16. 1884. .(No model.)

To whom, it may concern:

Be it known that we, RICHARD J. BAKER and JOHN P. RoBERrs, both of the city of Providence, inthe county of Providenceand State of Rhode Island, have invented new and useful Improvements in Marine N ight-Signalin g Apparatus; and we do hereby declare that the following is afull and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, making a part of this specification;

Our invention relates to appliances for the reproduction at night of the flag-signals of the international code" of marine signals, or of a l special. code indicating the entire alphabet, by

means of clear and colored lights. Its object isto provide the same facility at night for intercommunication between different vessels, or between avessel and the shore, as is now at command in the day-time by the use of flags.

It consists of a light frame adapted to be readily suspended at pleasure in any part of the rigging, or to be otherwisesupported at a suitable elevation upon the deck of a vessel, and which is fitted to receive a single white light or three superimposed white lights, each of which is arranged to be encircled by a movable opaque screen and by two movable colored glass shades -one red and'the other greeneach screen and shade admitting of being moved independently by means of cords leading to the deck of the vessel, or equivalent devices, so as to cover or uncoverseparately its appropriate light. I

In theaccompanying drawings, Figure 1 is an elevation of our improved night signal apparatus provided with a single white light, by

means of which the signals are made by consecutive flashes. Fig. 2 is a vertical central section of the apparatus in line through its frame, the movable screens and the lantern being partlyin elevation, and the springs on the hood of the'lantern being omitted therefrom. Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of a portion of the outer glass shade, illustrating the manner of its support and combination with the guide-rods. Fig. 4 is a cross-section in line m x, andFig. 5 a cross-section in liney y, of 1; Fig. 6, an elevation, on a smaller scale, of

the apparatus constructed withthree lights and sets of slides complete, to enable the signals to be made by a simultaneous exhibition of two or more of the lights, a glass slide be ing shown as drawn up around the central and an opaque screen around the lower light.

A represents a light strong frame-work adapted to the support of a signal-light, B, which may consist of a lantern made specially for use with the apparatus, as illustrated in Fig. l of the drawings, or of one of the ordinary ships lanterns, as shown in Fig. 6. The

WVhen an ordinary ships neath and at the other to a catch or clamp adapted to engage the bottom of the suspended lamp. (See dotted lines, Fig. 6.) Where a special lantern is employed it is secured in proper place between the upper and lower cross-bars upon vertical rods E .E, extended from the one bar to the other, as shown in Fig.2, and the lamp F is inserted therein througha central opening in the bottom piece of the lantern, being upheld thereby by means of lat eral catches, substantially as in ordinary lanterns. (See Fig. '2.)

Immediately below the lamp or lantern three concentric cylindrical screen's or shades, G, G, andH, are arranged to move up and down independently of each other upon vertical guide-rods K K K, extending from one crossbar of the frame to the other. The smallest central cylindrical shade, G, is made of clear green. glass, and is large enough in diameter to inclose readily the light or lantern B,which, when so inclosed, will appear as a green light. The second shade, G, is of red glass, and the third screen, H, is of light sheet metal, so that it will obscure the light when drawn up around it. The glass shades are'fitted and secured at top and bottom'in annular frames it, (see Fig. 3,) and are connected to the vertical guiderods K K by means of tubes D D, Figs. 2 and 3, inclosing the rods and secured to said frames 1; z. A rubberwasher, Z, Fig. 3, is interposed between the lower end of each guide-tube D, and the cross-bar below, so as to cushion the glass slide when it drops. The outer opaque screen, H, is connected to its guide-rods K K by means of tubular offsets S S at top and bottom, which embrace the rods. (See Figs. 1 and 2.) From opposite points in the upper edge or frame iof each shade or screen strong light cords M M are led separately over pulleys NN, fitted in the top cross-bar of the frame above, and are then spliced together in a single cord, M,which is led over suitable frietion--rollers and through eyes or leads in the lower cross-bar, so as to depend below the frame within reach of the operator on the deck below. By pulling upon the appropriate cord the corresponding shade or screen is drawn up over the light, the cords being so arranged as that the central cord shall operate the opaque screen H, that to the right the red shade G, and that to the left the green shade G. The central cord actuating the opaque screen may be operated by the foot, a stirrup, 0, being attached thereto for the purpose, leaving the operators hands free to Work the two colors, so that all three may be manipulated with great easeand rapidityin making the various changes and combinations required for the signals.

A metallic cap or hood, 1?, is made fast over the top of the lantern under the upper crossbar of the frame, and this cap is encircled by a wide flaring flange, L, adapted to slide thereon, and which is automatically forced down to thelower edge of the cap by means of spiral springs Q Q, interposed between the flange and upper cross-bar, being coiled about the guide-rods K K, extending through the flange. This flange serves to prevent the upward reflection of the light, and also to stop the 11pward movement of the shades and screen, the springs Q serving to break the force of the blow with which the shades come into contact with the flange when pulled suddenly up.

A swinging yoke, R, is provided at the upper end of the frame to facilitate its suspension, said yoke being fitted centrally with a ring or eyebolt, R, governed-by a-spring, so as to affordan elastic support to the apparatus when it is hoisted up.

By fitting three lights, with their appropriate movable encircling screens, as described, in combination with a single supporting-frame, each signal of the code may be made at one move, instead of by successive changes of a single light, with a corresponding economy of time. The combination of the three lights is effected by superimposing them one above the other in a frame provided with Crossbars-between each light, as illustrated in Fig. 6 of the drawings. The lower cross-bars of the two upper lights are thus made to serve as the upper cross-bars of the two lower lights, and are fitted with pulleys for the operating-cords in manner as hereinbefore described. A separate cord for each slide is led down below the frame, the cords for the three obscuring -screens being brought to the center in one group, those for thered in another group to the right, and those for the green in a third group to the left, eachv cord being brought through leads in the frame and separately through apertures in a transverse separating-bar, w, suspended beneath the frame, so that they may be readily distinguished. Each shade in each of the three sets thus is drawn up around the lamp above it by an independent cord controlling it. The cords for the obscuring-screens may all be united to a single stirrup, 0, so that by a movement of the operators foot all of the lamps may be simultaneously obscured. By attaching the color-cords to a suitable handrail on the deck and leading the obscuringcords through separate apertures therein to the stirrup beneath, so that the position of the cords shall be invariably the same, the cord for each light and for each shade pertaining to that light is readily found without special inspection or effort, so that the signals may be rapidly made with great precision.

In the use of the apparatus, the frame A A, with the lanterns B B B, containing bright white lights secured in place therein, one above the other, is run up aloft upon a rope railway, (see dotted lines, Fig. 6,) or otherwise suspended aloft at any suitable point in the rigging of the vessel. As the frame is carried aloft, the cords for actuating the slides are allowed to run freely through the eyes or leads in the hand-rail on deck, which, in connection with the pulleys in the cross-bars of the frame, 4

prevent their disarrangement or entan glement.

So soon as the frame with its lights is properly suspended, the apparatus is-in readiness for use, the three white lights displayed thereby one above the other being the signal, according to the code, that the vessel wishes to communicate. Where communication is desired with the shore, the green shades are drawn up to show three green lights, and if the necessity for communication is very great, and in case of distress or danger, the three red shades are drawn up to show three red lights. \Vhen an answering-signal is received, the communications are readily and rapidly transmitted by changing the order of the lights-the letter B, for instance, being indicated by a white,'a green, and a red light in the order named-the white light being uppermost; the letter O by a white, red, and green light; the letter D by an upper white and two lowergreen lights; the letter F by an upper white light and .two lower red lights, 8m.

In the use of a single light alone, Figs. 1 and 2, the signals are all made by rapidly changingthe colors of the lights-the letter B, for instance, being indicated by flashing or changing the light from white to green and then to red; the letter O, by changing it from white to red and green; the letter D, by flashing it first with white, and then twice in-succession with green, &c., these changes being marked by an ob.- scuration of the light between each repetition or change of color.

Instead of fixing the three lights in a common frame, as shown in Fig. 6, three single lights fitted with shades, as in Fig. 1, may be IIO suspended one above the other on a rope railway, or otherwise, and operated to make the signals by a simultaneous display of two or more of them, as above described.

It is evident that rectangular shades, or shades constructed with octagonal or otherwise angular frames, may be substituted for the concentric cylindrical shades; and we contemplate any suitable form of movable shades for the lights. We contemplate, also, the substitution of rods for cords wherethe lights are supported in a permanent frame, and also the use of electric devices for actuating the screens, es-.

pecially in case electric lights are WVe claim as our invention-- ,1. In a marine nightsignaling apparatus, the combination, with awhite light or lantern, of three movable concentric cylindrical shades or screensone opaque and two of colored glassfitted below the support for the light, and adapted to be moved upward, each inde pendently of the other, to cover and uncover the light, substantially in the manner and for the purpose herein set forth.

2. In a marine night signaling apparatus, the combination, with each other and with a suitable frame adapted to their support, of three separate lights, each of which is providemplo'yed.

ed with three movable shades or screens-two transparent and colored and one opaque-arranged to be moved, the one independently of the other, to cover and uncover the light, by means of appliances adapted thereto, substantiallyin the manner and for the purpose hereinset forth.

3. The combination, in a marine night-signaling apparatus, with a suitable supportingframe, a light or lantern carried therein, and a series of movable shades adapted to cover or uncover the light,of a series of operating-cords led from each separate slide over suitable friction pulleys in the frame, and in consecutive and systematic order through a lower bar,

"whereby an operator below the frame is enabled to readily and quickly actuate each slide independently of the other, as required in making signals,substantially in the manner and for the purpose herein set forth.

In testimony whereof we have signed our names to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses. R. J. BAKER.

JOHN P. ROBERTS. WVitnesses: l a

R. H. PURINTON,

FRANK M. PURINTON. 

